Envision a Happy Holiday Season!!

[Louisa Latela 226]

In the book "Unplugging the Christmas Machine" by Jo Robinson and Jean Coppock Staeheli, the "one common concern among most that is universal: is the yearning for a simpler, less commercial, more soul-satisfying celebration. A universal wish to end the year with a festival of renewal that rekindles our spirit, brings us closer to the people we care about, and brings light and laughter to the dark days of winter. We want to ward off the commercial excesses of the season and create an authentic, joyful celebration in tune with our unique needs and desires."

Do you often find yourself dreading the holidays, feeling stressed with all the family and financial obligations that come along with the season and ignoring your physical, spiritual, and emotional needs during this time of year??

Don’t let that happen again!!

Think about how you would like to experience this holiday season. Get clear about what is most important to you. Imagine what it would be like to really have fun and enjoy the Season. Feel what that would feel like. Write a vision statement about how you hope to remember this holiday season. Date the statement January 10, 2010.

Here’s an example:

1/10/10

Wow!! I can’t ever remember having such a wonderful holiday season. I made up my mind that I was not going to get caught up in all the commercialism and family drama that typically takes over my life from Nov.1 through Jan. 3 every year.

I talked to my friends who I usually exchange gifts with and asked if we could stop doing that. I suggested that in place of getting gifts we make a date to all get together after the Holidays because really connection with each other is the most precious gift. They loved the idea and were grateful for one less thing to do. I also met with my family and suggested that we only buy gifts for children under 18 and stop exchanging between adults. I couldn’t believe they all agreed!

I started shopping for my kids the end of October and wrapped the gifts as I bought them. I can’t tell you how much easier that made my life. (I always think wrapping is no big deal, but it is if you wait till the last minute). I politely said “no” to a couple of Holiday Party invitations. One person was a little annoyed with me but I reminded myself that she is entitled to her feelings, and it is not my responsibility to make sure everyone is happy. I told her I was sorry that she was hurt and was taking my decline to attend her party personally but it really had nothing to do with her. I told her I was committed to having a stress-free holiday and the timing of her party just did not work for my family’s schedule.

This year I had lots of games for the whole family to play after our Holiday dinner, so that the entire day wasn’t focused around food. Everyone had so much fun!! And it kept the adults and kids together… I had such a warm and cozy feeling just watching my big crazy family playing charades and teasing and laughing with one another. I also invited a neighbor over for the festivities ‘cause she doesn’t have family nearby and recently broke up with her boyfriend. She was so grateful.

But the BEST part of the whole season was that I took care of ME FIRST!!! I exercised at least 3 times a week. I also was prepared for the holiday food festival that starts at Thanksgiving (if I get real honest it starts with Halloween) and doesn’t end till January 1. I did affirmations everyday and reminded myself that for me the Holiday Season was about taking time to just love and appreciate all the many wonderful people in my life and be ever mindful of the many blessings in my life. I made sure I did not go to any party hungry and before I ate anything I fast forwarded the tape and asked myself if what I was about to eat was worth the consequences. I would sporadically keep food records just to kind of “check in” with myself. I kept my focus on “The most important thing to me is connecting with family and friends during this Season. I am having so much fun doing that. And it is so cool that I don’t need to eat poorly in order to enjoy myself!!”. I was and still am ever mindful of the saying “Never give up what you want the most for what you want this moment!!” and what I want most is to be happy and healthy! It just felt so good to keep my word to myself and make myself a priority this year. And you know what? It made the Holidays nicer for my husband and kids too!!! I think this is going to be a great year!!

It’s your turn now!!:thumbdown:

I will be facilitating a Tele-Support group re: Enjoy the Holidays starting Thurs. October 22. For more information call me at 856.429.9799, email me at Louisa@louisalatela.com or visit http://www.louisalatela.com/id65.html